key tax return and refund dates
When can you file your taxes?
You can submit your tax return before the IRS begins processing as early as the first week of the year with many tax preparation providers. You don’t need to wait until the IRS begins accepting tax returns but you must have the proper forms and paperwork. Some forms are not available until mid January. Tax returns filed before the IRS officially opens sit in a āqueueā and are held until the IRS officially begins accepting tax returns.
Your tax return may be selected in a test batch. If you e-file early and it sits in queue, your return may be sent to the IRS early. This can result in early direct deposits depending on the payment provider you select. Our cycle chart will update with key dates including test batch dates.
When does the IRS accept tax returns?
The IRS usually opens around the third week of January each year. They announce the opening date early in January.
The IRS began accepting tax returns this year on January 29, 2024.
When is the IRS test batch?
If you file your tax return early, it may be sent to the IRS in a test batch before the IRS has officially opened for the year. It is usually a week before the date the IRS begins accepting tax returns. This has resulted in refunds in the past that can be posted by direct deposit as early as the day after tax season opens.
When will I get my tax refund?
Early filers whose returns are accepted in a test batch can anticipate a tax refund as early as the day after the IRS opens the January filing season if your return was in the test batch. The day that the IRS deposits refunds varies for regular returns but we notice trends based on the method you chose to file and select to direct deposit. You can use our tax refund calendar or refund cycle chart to help find out when you will get your tax refund.
Where is the IRS refund cycle chart?
The official tax refund cycle chart published by the IRS has been eliminated and replaced with IRS FAQ. Refund cycle charts are now published by independent websites and vary slightly.
A good reference to use is the When To Expect My Refund cycle chart that is published early each year by the College Investor.
tax refund grapevine
This is a user-to-user community of taxpayers. Share experiences and ask questions below in our Live Discussion. We have learned more about tax refunds than we ever wanted to know.
tax refund tools
IRS Update Cycle
Use the IRS Update Cycle chart to find the days and times the WMR and transcript update.
When are Updates?
The IRS has regular mass update cycles.
WHEN DOES WHERES MY REFUND (WMR) UPDATE?
Where’s My Refund can update any day of the week. But there are mass updates on Wednesday and Saturday when a lot of people see an update. Use our calendar to find out what day you can expect to see updates on Where’s My Refund.
WHEN DO transcripts update?
Transcripts can update any day of the week. But there are mass updates on Tuesday and Friday. Use our calendar to find out what day you can expect to see an update on your transcript.
@Brianne: Did you look to see “if” there was an electronic footprint on their site…showing 01/24?
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@Rebecca: Congratulations! Wmr should update tomorrow and you should see your direct deposit Friday
moderated
I am able to see account transcript for 2022. It shows a cycle code 02 , 846 with a date of 1/27/23 but WMR still says one bar. Does this still mean I will receive my return on Friday
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@Brianne: I personally don’t file before opening day anymore because twice I filed real early and ended up getting resequenced. I’m weekly though and also I use Taxact. I had to wait a couple years when I filed early and everyone else got their stuff and I got resequenced…
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@Sheila_33: okay thanks. I’ve always done the same thing when I claim my taxes and I’ve never had to wait till after the 15th to get my refund. That’s why I was wondering what the path act was because it is never affected me.
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I was accepted in the test batch, checked my transcripts this morning and account transcript is filled out but return transcript is still showing N/A. WMR still shows one bar, Iām a daily so that will all probably change tomorrow.
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@William Turner: If you can’t see your transcripts online, you can check Wmr each morning to see if your message changes to the path message. Path message is basically a hold message until they can release the refund Feb. 15th. Scroll down and tap on the link i shared that explains it more in detail.
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Man Turbo Tax is so full of it. So i filed 1/6. didnt get accepted in the test batch. status changed on 01/20 to received by irs. then changed yesterday so transmitted. I still havent been accepted. tt fb just keeps saying to wait 24-48 hours & after 48 hrs, if not accepted then call irs (what is irs supposed to tell me when they havent even accepted/rejected my return). so i decided to call Turbo Tax & just got off the phone & the rep said someone looked in my account & said that my return was just sent to irs today & to allow 24-48 hours. like im so done with TT. like how did i file the 6th, opening day was yesterday & now they saying my return was sent today
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So I filed on the 20th and was accepted on the 23rd and wmr currently shows one bar. I claimed two children and the EIC so is it supposed to show a path message on there instead of one bar? I’ve never seen the path act message before so I’m not sure what it’s about.
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@RhansTax: Lol. My mistake. I was hoping for more early acceptance transcript updates and I was in the moment. You got a transcript update, and you got a transcript update. Oprah, I am not. š¤£š¤£
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Transcripts are showing a little movement
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@Sheila_33: oh no what I mean the update from last year. Not the current one. Sorry for the confusion.
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@Sheila_33: Thanks, transcript is blank.
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